Good test for Raiders ahead of new season

Action from Raiders friendly with Richmond on Saturday.

Raiders, who saw their friendly against Tonbridge Juddians cancelled the previous week, were left with just Saturday’s game against Richmond to prepare for the new season.

Worthing head coach Kieron Dawson called the match a good test for his side against higher-level opposition.

It was the visitors who started brightly and touched down their first try after just two minutes when Will Browne was found by Rob Kirby, although Kirby failed to add the conversion.

Worthing were not behind for long, though, as Dan Sargent bundled the ball over the try line and Matt McLean made no mistake with the conversion to put Raiders 7-5 ahead. However, Worthing’s lead was shortlived as Browne touched down his second try after he received a Matt Keville pass, with Kirby converting.

Worthing were beginning to struggle and the visitors went further ahead as Joe Burton picked up the loose ball after a scrum to touch down and Kirby’s conversion made the score 19-7.

Tom Sargeant then got two tries in the closing stages of the first period as Worthing trailed 31-7 at the break.

Less than a minute into the second half, Sargeant completed his hat-trick after he had run from his own half.

Richmond were reduced to 14 men on 45 minutes and the hosts took advantage of the extra man as Charlie McGowan touched down.

Richmond responded just four minutes later when Browne this time provided Jeremy Cuthane, who went over.

Worthing reduced the deficit just two minutes later, though, after Kirby misjudged a kick forward and Jack Maslen picked up the loose ball. Jack Metters converted to make it 43-19.

Jon Whittall then got another try for Worthing as they trailed by 19 points with 24 minutes left.

Tries from Adam Cadsby and Chris Davis put paid to any chance of a Worthing comeback as it was 62-24 with 10 minutes to go.

Elliott Luke grabbed a late try for the hosts with Maslen adding the conversion as it finished 62-31.

RAIDERS: Storer, Piper, Sargent, Barlow, McGowan, Smith, Hewick, Perkins, Metters, Dudley, Maslen, Coxon-Smith, Sewell, Forrest, McLean. Subs: Ibuanokpe, Joe Burns, Redmayne, Heaver, Loosmore, Greenwood, Leeming, Luke, Gaynor, Whittall, Costigan, Waters, P.Burns.